ArtsErie News

July 31, 2009

ArtsErie Project Grant Applications Now Being Accepted

Competitive funding program supports arts projects in Erie County

ERIE, PA — ArtsErie is now accepting applications for its project grant program. ArtsErie project grants provide funding for art performances, projects and exhibits in Erie County. Applications are accepted annually and reviewed by an independent allocations panel with ratification by ArtsErie Board of Trustees. Funds are distributed on a competitive grant basis. Applicants must have 501(c)(3) status.

Project grants of varying amounts are available from three funds, serving different disciplines:

• Arts education projects may apply for up to $2,500 from the Virginia Vieser Arts Education Fund.
• Projects involving music performance may apply for up to $5,000 from the Clarence E. Beyers Music Performance Fund.
• Projects of any artistic discipline may apply for up to $5,000 from the ArtsErie Unrestricted Project Fund.

Applications must be postmarked by Saturday, August 15, 2009 or hand-delivered by Monday, August 17, 2009 at 5 p.m. to ArtsErie at 3 East 4th Street, Suite 10, Erie, PA 16507. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

For eligibility requirements and an application, please download the project grant packet at www.ArtsErie.org. Applicants may contact Michele Marini in Member Services, at 814-452-3427 or mmarini@artserie.org with questions about the application process or for feedback on previous grants.

About ArtsErie

ArtsErie strives to nurture the arts and enrich the lives of the people of northwestern Pennsylvania through leadership, financial support, education and advocacy. Additional information about ArtsErie is available online at www.ArtsErie.org.

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July 31, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nominations Now Open for ArtsErie’s Annual Arts Appreciation Awards

New Imagine Award recognizes outstanding contribution to arts education

ERIE, PA — Each year ArtsErie salutes individuals and groups for their contributions to the arts community by presenting them with ArtsErie Arts Appreciation Awards. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 ArtsErie Arts Appreciation Awards. This year, the ArtsErie Board has approved a new recognition, the Imagine Award, which recognizes excellence in arts education. 

Individuals and organizations are urged to use the nominating form on the ArtsErie Web site (http://artserie.org/events/fall_for_the_arts_nominations.htm) to submit nominations before the August 15 deadline to honor achievements in any of the three categories.

• The Leadership in Arts Award recognizes a business, government, or foundation that (1) has exhibited long term art support, or (2) whose work has had a significant impact on the region’s arts/cultural landscape, or (3) has demonstrated a successful collaboration between an arts organization and business.

• The Applause Award recognizes a dedicated individual(s) or group whose outstanding volunteerism and contributions, either currently or in the past, have supported ArtsErie or the arts in our community. (The Applause Award now incorporates the Art Service Award given out in previous years.)

• The Imagine Award recognizes an educator, instructor, or individual whose efforts have made an outstanding contribution to the enhancement of arts education by consistently inspiring and encouraging arts excellence in their students or an education affiliate (PTA, Board of Ed., Performing Arts/Music School) or other organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to evoke interest and understanding in the arts both having worked over time to implement excellence in and for arts education.

In 2008, ArtsErie saluted Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield (Business Appreciation Award); Dr. Jim Barker, Erie School District superintendent (Art Service Award); and Erie County Council & County Executive Mark DiVecchio (Applause Award). A complete list of past Arts Appreciation Award recipients is available at http://artserie.org/events/fall_for_the_arts_recipients.htm.

Awards will be presented in October, National Arts and Humanities Month, at ArtsErie’s Fall for the Arts celebration. For more information, please contact Mary Lou McCall, Program Associate, at 814-452-3427 or MaryLou@ArtsErie.org.

About ArtsErie

ArtsErie strives to nurture the arts and enrich the lives of the people of northwestern Pennsylvania through leadership, financial support, education and advocacy. Additional information about ArtsErie is available online at www.ArtsErie.org.

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July 10, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Holly Nowak
Arts in Education Program Manager
(814) 452-3427 • holly@artserie.org

Michelle Martin
Arts in Education Partnership Assistant
(814) 452-3427 • aieinfo@artserie.org

ArtsErie to host a Willow Reunion & Get Together at L.E.A.F.!

See the Fruits of Your Labor & Be “A Mazed” at its Growth…

ERIE, PA — A get together will take place on Wednesday, July 22 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Willow Structure, located at Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, Erie, Pa. The event is intended for all who helped to design and build the Willow Structure in 2007, as well as those curious to see how the Willow has grown. The Willow Structure site is located just east of the Labyrinth inside Frontier Park.

The Willow in Community Project was sponsored by ArtsErie, LEAF and The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Artist & Communities Program. For the project, a sculptural maze was created with large living willow rods. These rods were pushed into the damp ground, woven into a sculpture and then allowed to grow into shape.

The get together will include a lesson on garden pruning. Participants are asked to bring their own garden clippers. In addition, community volunteers are needed to assist with the annual pruning of the structure.

The get together is free and open to the public and all are invited to take part in this exciting environmental art project. To RSVP for the event or for more information, contact Holly Nowak or Michelle Martin at ArtsErie by calling 814-452-3427 or emailing aieinfo@artserie.org.

Artists & Communities, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, was made possible by major funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, the William Penn Foundation and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The Willow in Community project was also funded in part by ArtsErie, the Erie Community Foundation, L.E.A.F. and the Erie Arts Endowment. Additional information about ArtsErie is available online at www.ArtsErie.org.

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